A DRIVER was injured after an articulated bus smashed into a safety barrier and blocked two lanes of the M60.

The single-decker vehicle, described as a 'bendy bus', crashed into the outside barrier at Junction 19 of the clockwise carriageway of the motorway near Heaton Park at 10.25am.

Initially traffic had to be diverted off the motorway via the exit slip road and back onto the motorway via the entry slip road.

The First  Manchester bus was 'out of service' between journeys and did not have any passengers on board. 

Its driver, a man who in his 40s who has been with the company for 18 years, suffered a leg injury in the collision.

The bus has now been moved and is in the process of being recovered. Highways Agency workers are clearing up the carriageway.

Traffic can file past the scene but there are still tailbacks affected both directions of the M60.

Bury Times:

A spokesman for the police said: "The bus was blocking the hard shoulder and two inside lanes.

"It didn't have any passengers on board - just the driver.

"There is damage to the barrier but no serious injuries.

"The bus is described as a Greater Manchester bendy bus."

Adrian Worsfold, director of operation at First Manchester said: "Our focus is on supporting our driver who has sustained a minor injury and to work closely with the local authorities to safely clear the motorway.

"Our colleagues on site will continue to support the emergency services as required.

"At the stage we don’t know the details of what caused the incident.

"We will work closely with all relevant authorities as part of the investigation."

A spokeswoman for North West Ambulance Service said an ambulance was still on the scene and she had no details of any patients.